You cruise along in life.
You say your prayers, but they are often obligatory.
No deep-seated feelings.
Then something happens. Dad gets cancer and dies. A brother is diagnosed with a rare neurological condition and he dies. You are diagnosed with cancer yourself.

And just yesterday, another brother is taken to the hospital due to a suspected stroke.

Prayers take on a lot more urgency.
I don’t expect any Get Well cards. I don’t expect any Sympathy cards, either. As a family, we had it pretty good for a lot of years.
You just never know.
So don’t lose your sense of appreciation.
I’m not saying wake up every morning, climb the maple tree out back, and warble with the bluebirds of happiness.
Just don’t spend all day grousing about things.
The neighbor who wakes up early Saturday mornings and, instead of the alarm clock, you wake up to a Briggs and Stratton.
The guy driving the massive SUV on southbound I-75 who is so close to you he is French kissing your fender.
The person at the grocery store who is unloading 17 items in the “12 items or under” line.
Aggravations, sure, but don’t let them ruin your day.
Just keep your emotions under control.
There is so much that can’t be controlled.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. I think that is in the Bible.